Settlers torch Palestinian farmlands south of Nablus

Nablus (QNN) – Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of dunums of Palestinian farmland in Asira al-Qibliya village, south of Nablus.

Ghassan Daghlas, an official who monitors settlement activities in the northern West Bank, told WAFA that a number of Israeli settlers set fire to the villagers’ farmlands in the southern part of the village, destroying their crops.

The settlers, who came from illegal settlement of Yitzhar, which is inhabited by hardcore fanatic Jews, also hurled stones at the villagers’ houses.

The villagers attempted to fend off the settlers’ attack, leading to confrontations. No injuries were reported though.

Many Palestinian activists and rights groups have repeatedly blamed Israel for fostering a “culture of impunity” for Jewish settlers committing violent acts against Palestinians.

“Price tag” refers to an underground anti-Palestinian Israeli group that routinely attacks Palestinians in the occupied territories and inside Israel.

The Israeli government still refuses to label it as a terrorist organization and considers it only as group of vandals. It also considers such acts as hate crimes against Palestinians.

Settler violence against Palestinians and their property is routine in the West Bank and is rarely prosecuted by Israeli authorities.

Settlers’ violence includes property and mosque arsons, stone-throwing, uprooting of crops and olive trees, attacks on vulnerable homes, among others.

Over 600,000 Israelis live in Jewish-only settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank in violation of international law.